Cardiovascular Diabetology (Sep 2023)

Insulin resistance, kidney outcomes and effects of the endothelin receptor antagonist atrasentan in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease

  • J. David Smeijer,
  • Donald E. Kohan,
  • Peter Rossing,
  • Ricardo Correa-Rotter,
  • Adrian Liew,
  • Sydney C.W. Tang,
  • Dick de Zeeuw,
  • Ron T. Gansevoort,
  • Wenjun Ju,
  • Hiddo J. Lambers Heerspink

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12933-023-01964-8
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 22, no. 1
pp. 1 – 9

Abstract

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Abstract Background Insulin resistance (IR) is a pathophysiologic hallmark of type 2 diabetes and associated with the presence of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Experimental studies suggest that endothelin-1 increases IR. We assessed the association between IR and cardio-renal outcomes and the effect of the selective endothelin receptor antagonist atrasentan on IR in patients with type 2 diabetes and CKD. Methods We used data from the RADAR and SONAR trials that recruited participants with type 2 diabetes and CKD [eGFR 25–75 mL/min/1.73 m², urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio of 300–5000 mg/g]. IR was calculated using the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA-IR). The association between HOMA-IR and the pre-specified cardio-renal outcomes was assessed using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression, and effects of atrasentan on HOMA-IR by a linear mixed effect model. Results In the SONAR trial, each log-unit increase in HOMA-IR was associated with an increased risk of the composite cardio-renal outcome [hazard ratio 1.32 (95%CI 1.09,1.60; p = 0.004)], kidney outcome [hazard ratio 1.30 (95%CI 1.00,1.68; p-value = 0.048)], and the kidney or all-cause mortality outcome [hazard ratio 1.25 (95%CI 1.01,1.55; p-value = 0.037)]. After 12 weeks treatment in the RADAR trial (N = 123), atrasentan 0.75 mg/day and 1.25 mg/day compared to placebo reduced HOMA-IR by 19.1 (95%CI -17.4, 44.3) and 26.7% (95%CI -6.4, 49.5), respectively. In the SONAR trial (N = 1914), atrasentan 0.75 mg/day compared to placebo reduced HOMA-IR by 9.6% (95%CI 0.6, 17.9). Conclusions More severe IR is associated with increased risk of cardio-renal outcomes. The endothelin receptor antagonist atrasentan reduced IR. Trial registration RADAR trial (Reducing Residual Albuminuria in Subjects With Diabetes and Nephropathy With AtRasentan): NCT01356849. SONAR trial (The Study Of Diabetic Nephropathy With AtRasentan) NCT01858532.

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